Compare and contrast

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jan 07, 2022

In Myanmar, where government troops have been shelling Christian villages, the Catholic bishops decided that the situation was too dangerous to allow for public festivities at Christmas. So they advised the faithful to cancel Christmas celebrations—except the celebration of the sacraments.

In Quebec, where about 100 Covid deaths were recorded in December, civil officials in the province were willing to allow the faithful to attend Mass if they were vaccinated. But Cardinal Gerald Lacroix decided that the situation was so dangerous, he suspended the public celebration of the sacraments.

Back in Myanmar, Cardinal Charles Bo was roundly criticized when he was photographed smiling together with the leader of the military junta. The cardinal was obviously hoping that the meeting could lead to some change in the brutal government policies that he has frequently criticized. Nevertheless he drew angry responses from Christians suffering from the military attacks.

In the US, over the Christmas season, umpteen Catholic bishops were photographed smiling alongside politicians who support public funding for abortion on demand. Unborn children were not available for comment.